Substituted spiroheterocyclic 1H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives, processes for their preparation, and their use as pesticides

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns substituted spiro heterocyclic 1H-3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives depicted by the formula:  
                 
 
     X is alkyl, halogen or alkoxy; Y is hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, alkoxy or alkyl halide; Z is alkyl, halogen or alkoxy; n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; G is hydrogen (a) or one of the groups (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) as defined in the specification. The invention also concerns methods of preparing the substituted spiro heterocyclic 1H-3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivative compounds, intermediate compounds thereof and use of substituted spiro heterocyclic 1H-3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivative compounds as pest-control agents.

[0001] The invention relates to new substituted spirocyclic 1H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4dione derivatives, to a plurality of processes for their preparation, and to their use as pesticides and as herbicides.

[0002] 3-Acyl-pyrrolidine-2,4diones have already been described as having pharmaceutical properties (S. Suzuki et al. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 15 1120 (1967)). Furthermore, N-phenyl-pyrnolidine-2,4-diones were synthesized by R. Schnierer and H. Mildenberger (Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1985 1095). These compounds were not described as having a biological activity. There have also been described 5-vinyl-etrric acids which have pharmaceutical properties (GB-A 22 66 888).

[0003] EP-A 0 262 399 discloses 3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4Aiones, but nothing has been disclosed about them having a herbicidal, insecticidal or acaricidal action. A herbicidal, insecticidal or acaricidal action has been disclosed in the case of unsubstituted bicyclic 3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (EP-A 355 599) and (EP 415 211) and of substituted monocyclic 3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (EP-A 377 893), (EP 442 077), (EP 497 127) and substituted bicyclic 3-aryl-pyrrolidone derivatives (EP 501 129).

[0004] Other compounds which have been disclosed are polycyclic 3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (EP 442 073) and 1H-3-arylpyrrolidine-dione derivatives (EP 456 063) and (EP 521 334).

[0005] There have now been found new substituted spirocyclic 1H-³-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I)

[0006] in which

[0007] A and B together with the carbon atom to vhich they are bonded represent an unsubstituted or substituted 5-6-membered cycle which is interrupted by at least one hetero atom,

[0008] X represents alkyl, halogen or alkoxy,

[0009] Y represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, alkoxy or halogenoalkyl,

[0010] Z represents allyl, halogen or alkoxy,

[0011] n represents a number 0, 1, 2 or 3,

[0012] G represents hydrogen (a) or the groups

[0013] E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion,

[0014] L and M in each case represent oxygen or sulphur,

[0015] R¹ represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl or cycloalcyl which can be interrupted by hetero atoms, each of these radicals optionally being substituted by halogen, or represents in each case optionally substituted phenyl, phenylalkyl, hetaryl, phenoxyalkyl or hetaryloxyalkyl,

[0016] R² represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl or in each case optionally substituted phenyl or benzyl,

[0017] R³, R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another represent alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylthio, alkenylthio, cycloalkylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent in each case optionally substituted phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio,

[0018] R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another represent hydrogen, or alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted benzyl, or together with the N atom to which they are bonded represent a cycle which is optionally interrupted by oxygen or sulphur.

[0019] Taking into consideration the various meanings (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of group G in the general formula (I), the following main stuctures (Ia) to (Ig) result:

[0020] in which

[0021] A, B, E, L, M, X, Y, Z, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and n

[0022] have the abovementioned meanings.

[0023] Due to one or more chiral centres, the compounds of the formula (Ia)-(Ig) are generally obtained in the form of a stereoisomer mixture. They can be used in the form of their diastereomer mixtures or as the pure diastereomers or enantiomers.

[0024] Furthermore, it has been found that the new substituted 1H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4dione derivatives of the formula (I) are obtained by one of the processes described hereinbelow.

[0025] (A) 1H-3-Aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-diones or Their Enols of the Formula (Ia)

[0026] in which

[0027] A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0028] are obtained when

[0029] N-acylamino acid esters of the formula (II)

[0030] in which

[0031] A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning and

[0032] R⁸ represents alkyl,

[0033] are subjected to an intramolecular condensation reaction in the presence of a diluent and in the presence of a base;

[0034] or

[0035] (B) Compounds of the Formula (Ib)

[0036] in which

[0037] A, B, X, Y, Z, R¹ and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0038] are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

[0039] in which

[0040] A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning

[0041] α) Are Reacted With Acid Halides of the Formula (III)

[0042] in which

[0043] R¹ has the abovementioned meaning and

[0044] Hal represents halogen, in particular chlorine and bromine,

[0045] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent

[0046] or

[0047] β) Are Reacted With Carboxylic Anhydrides of the Formula (IV)

R¹—CO—O—CO—R¹   (IV)

[0048] in which

[0049] R¹ has the abovementioned meaning,

[0050] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent;

[0051] or

[0052] (C) Compounds of the Formula (Ic-1)

[0053] in which

[0054] A, B, X, Y, Z, R² and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0055] and

[0056] M represents oxygen or sulphur

[0057] are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

[0058] in which

[0059] A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0060] are reacted with chloroformic ester or chlorofonnic thiol ester of the formula (V)

R²—M—CO—Cl   (V)

[0061] in which

[0062] R² and M have the abovementioned meaning,

[0063] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent;

[0064] or

[0065] (D) Compounds of the Formula (Ic-2)

[0066] in which

[0067] A, B, R², X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning

[0068] and

[0069] M represents oxygen or sulphur,

[0070] are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

[0071] in which

[0072] A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abdvementioned meaning,

[0073] α) Are Reacted With Chloromonothioformic Esters or Chlorodiothioformic Esters of the Formula (VI)

[0074] in which

[0075] M and R² have the abovementioned meaning,

[0076] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent,

[0077] or

[0078] β) Are Reacted With Carbon Disulphide and Subsequently With Alkyl Halides of the General Formula (VII)

R²-Hal   (VII)

[0079] in which

[0080] R² has the abovementioned meaning

[0081] and

[0082] Hal represents chlorine, bromine or iodine,

[0083] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an auxiliary base;

[0084] or

[0085] (E) Compounds of the Formula (Id)

[0086] in which

[0087] A, B, X, Y, Z, R³ and n have the abovementioned meaning

[0088] are obtained when conmpounds of the formula (Ia)

[0089] in which

[0090] A, B, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0091] are reacted with sulphonyl chlorides of the formula (VIII)

R³—SO₂—Cl   (VIII)

[0092] in which

[0093] R³ has the abovementioned meaning,

[0094] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent;

[0095] or

[0096] (F) 3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-diones of the Formula (Ie)

[0097] in which

[0098] A, B, L, X, Y, Z, R⁴, R⁵ and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0099] are obtained when

[0100] 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4diones of the formula (Ia) or their enols

[0101] in which

[0102] A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning

[0103] are reacted with phosphorus compounds of the formula (IX)

[0104] in which

[0105] L, R⁴ and R⁵ have the abovementioned meaning

[0106] and

[0107] Hal represents halogen, in particular chlorine and bromine,

[0108] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent;

[0109] or

[0110] (G) Compounds of the Formula (If)

[0111] in which

[0112] A, B, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0113] and

[0114] E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion,

[0115] are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

[0116] in which

[0117] A, B, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0118] are reacted with metal compounds or amines of the formulae (X) and (XI)

MeR_(t) ¹³   (X)

[0119]

[0120] in which

[0121] Me represents mono- or divalent metal ions,

[0122] t represents the number 1 or 2,

[0123] R¹⁰, R₁₁ and R¹² independently of one another represent hydrogen or alkyl and

[0124] R¹³ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy,

[0125] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent.

[0126] H) Furthermore, it has been Found that Compounds of the Formula (I-g)

[0127] in which

[0128] A, B, L, X, Y, Z, R⁶, R⁷ and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0129] are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

[0130] in which

[0131] A, B, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning

[0132] are reacted

[0133] α) With Compounds of the Formula (XII)

R⁶—N═C═L   (XII)

[0134] in which

[0135] L and R⁶ have the abovementioned meaning

[0136] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of a catalyst

[0137] or

[0138] β) With Carbanoyl Chlorides or Thiocarbamoyl Chlorides of the Formula (XIII)

[0139] in which

[0140] L, R⁶ and R⁷ have the abovementioned meaning

[0141] if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent.

[0142] Furthermore, it has been found that the new 1H-3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I) are distinguished by outstding insecticidal, acaricidal and herbicidal actions.

[0143] In the general formulae of the present application,

[0144] A, B and the carbon atom to which they are bonded preferably represent a 5-6-membered spirocycle which contains the group

[0145] and/or oxygen and/or sulphur and which can be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen or phenyl.

[0146] A, B and the carbon to which they are bonded particularly preferably represent a 5-6-membered spirocycle which contains the group

[0147] and/or oxygen and/or sulphur and which can be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-thioalkyl, fluorine, chlorine or phenyl.

[0148] A, B and the carbon atom to which they are bonded very particularly preferably represent a 5-6-spirocycle which contains the group

[0149] and/or oxygen and/or sulphur and which can be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclohexyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, methylthio, fluorine, chlorine or phenyl.

[0150] X preferably represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, halogen or C₁-C₆-alkoxy.

[0151] X very particularly represents C₁-C₄-alkyl, halogen or C₁-C₄-alkoxy.

[0152] X very particularly preferably represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, 2-propyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methoxy or ethoxy.

[0153] Y preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆-alkoxy or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl.

[0154] Y particularly preferably represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or C₁-C₂-halogenoalkyl.

[0155] Y very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, butyl, i-butyl, tert-butyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methoxy, ethoxy or trifluoromethyl.

[0156] Z preferably represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, halogen or C₁-C₆-alkoxy.

[0157] Z particularly preferably represents C₁-C₄-alkyl, halogen or C₁-C₄-alkoxy.

[0158] Z very particularly preferably represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, butyl, i-butyl, tert-butyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methoxy or ethoxy.

[0159] G preferably represents hydrogen (a) or the groups

[0160] in which

[0161] E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion and

[0162] L and M in each case represent oxygen or sulphur.

[0163] R¹ preferably represents C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-alkylthio-C₁-C₈-aqkyl, C₁-C₈-polyalkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl or cycloalkyl which has 3 to 8 ring atoms and which can be substituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl and interrupted by oxygen and/or sulphur atoms, each of these radicals optionally being substituted by halogen,

[0164] or represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy,

[0165] or represents phenyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy,

[0166] or represents hetaryl which is optionally substituted by halogen and/or C₁-C₆-alkyl,

[0167] or represents phenoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen and/or C₁-C₆-alkyl or

[0168] represents hetaryloxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, amnino and/or C₁-C₆-alkyl.

[0169] R² preferably represents C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkenyl,C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₂-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-polyalkoxy-C₂-C₈-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen,

[0170] or represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl or

[0171] represents phenyl or benzyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl.

[0172] R³, R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another preferably represent C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy, C₁-C₈-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₈)alkylamino, C₁-C₈-alkylthio, C₃-C₅-alkenylthio, C₃-C₇-cycloalkylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₄-aqkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl.

[0173] R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another preferably represent hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, C₃-C₈-alkenyl or C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₈-halogenoallyl, C₁-C₈-alkyl or C₁-C₈-alkoxy, or represent benzyl which is optiorally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₈-alkoxy, or together with the N atom to which they are bonded represent a 3- to 7-membered ring which is optionally interrupted by oxygen or sulphur.

[0174] R⁹ preferably represents hydrogen, R¹, COR¹ or CO₂R² where R¹ and R² can assume the meanings mentioned above as being preferred for R¹ and R², respectively.

[0175] n preferably represents a number from 0 to 3.

[0176] G particularly preferably represents hydrogen (a) or the groups

[0177] in which

[0178] E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion and

[0179] L and M in each case represent oxygen or sulphur,

[0180] R¹ particularly preferably represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylthio-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-polyalkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl or cycloalkyl which has 3 to 7 ring atoms and which can be substituted by C₁-C₄-alkyl and interrupted by 1-2 oxygen and/or sulphur atoms, each of these radicals optionally being substituted by halogen,

[0181] or represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkoxy,

[0182] or represents phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkoxy,

[0183] or represents furanyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl,

[0184] or represents phenoxy-C₁-C₅-alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl or

[0185] represents pyridyloxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, pyrtimdinyloxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl or thiazolyloxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl.

[0186] R² particularly preferably represents C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, C₃-C₈-alkenyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₂-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₆-polyalkoxy-C₂-C₆-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen,

[0187] or represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine or C₁-C₄-alkyl or

[0188] represents phenyl or benzyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl.

[0189] R³, R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another particularly preferably represent C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₃-C₄-alkenylthio, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, C₁-C₃-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₃-alkylthio, C₁-C₃-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₃-alkyl or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl.

[0190] R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another particularly preferably represent hydrogen, or represent C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy, C₃-C₆-alkenyl or C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-alkoxy, or represent benzyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₅-alkyl, C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₅-alkoxy, or together with the N atom to which they are bonded represent a 4- to 7-membered ring which is optionally interrupted by oxygen or sulphur.

[0191] R⁹ particularly preferably represents hydrogen, COR^(1′) or CO₂R^(1′) where R^(1′) represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, phenyl or benzyl.

[0192] n particularly preferably represents a number from 0 to 2.

[0193] G very particularly preferably represents hydrogen (a) or the groups

[0194] in which

[0195] E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion and

[0196] L and M in each case represent oxygen or sulphur.

[0197] R¹ very particularly preferably represents C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₄-polyalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl or cycloalkyl which has 3 to 6 ring atoms and which can be substituted by methyl or ethyl and intemrpted by 1 to 2 oxygen and/or sulphur atoms, each of these radicals optionally being substituted by fluorine or chlorine,

[0198] or represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluorornethyl, trifluoromethoxy or nitro,

[0199] or represents phenyl-C₁-C₃-alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy,

[0200] or represents thienyl, furanyl. pyridyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl or ethyl,

[0201] or represents phenoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methyl or ethyl,

[0202] or represents pyridyloxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyrimidyloxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl or thiazolyloxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, amino, methyl or ethyl.

[0203] R² very particularly preferably represents C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₂-C₆-atlkyl or C₁-C₄-polyalkoxy-C₂-C₆-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, or represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methyl or ethyl,

[0204] or represents phenyl or benzyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, nitro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy or trifluoromethyl.

[0205] R³, R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another very particularly preferably represent C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄)-alkylamnino or C₁-C₄-alkylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, or represent phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₂-fluoroalkoxy, C₁-C₂-alkylthio, C₁-C₂-fluoroalkyltho or C₁-C₃-alkyl.

[0206] R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another very particularly preferably represent hydrogen, or represent C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy or C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine or bromine, or represent phenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, or represent benzyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalllyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, or together with the N atom to which they are bonded represent a 5- to 7-membered ring which is optionally interrupted by oxygen or sulphur.

[0207] R⁹ very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, COR^(1′) or CO₂R^(1′) where R^(1′) represents C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl or benzyl.

[0208] n very particularly preferably represents 0 or 1.

[0209] Due to one or more chiral centres, the compounds of the formula (Ia)-(Ig) are generally obtained in the form of stereoisomer misxures. They can be used in the form of their diastereomer mixtures, but also as the pure diastereomers or enantiomers.

[0210] If, in accordance with process (A), ethyl 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl-armino-1-acetylpiperidine-4-carboxylate is used, the course of the process according to the invention can be represented by the following equation:

[0211] If, in accordance with process B (variant a), 3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-(ethylenethioethylene)-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and pivaloyl chloride are used as starting materials, the course of the process according to the invention can be represented by the following equation:

[0212] If, in accordance with process B (variant β), 3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-ethylenethiomethylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and acetic anhydride are used as starting compounds, the course of the process according to the invention can be represented by the following equation:

[0213] If, in accordance with process (C), 3-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-ethylenethiomethylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and ethoxyethyl chloroformate are used as starting compounds, the course of the process according to the invention can be represented by the following equation.

[0214] If, in accordance with process (D_(a)), 3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-ethyleneoxaethylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and methyl chloromonothioformate are used as starting materials, the course of the reaction can be represented as follows:

[0215] If, in accordance with process (D_(β)), 3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-ethylenethioethylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione, carbon disuiphide and methyl iodide are used as starting components, the course of the reaction can be represented as follows:

[0216] If, in accordance with process (E), 3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-methylene-thiopropylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and methanesulphonyl chloride are used as starting material, the course of the reaction can be represented by the following equation:

[0217] If, in accordance with process (F), 3-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-5,5-ethylene-thioethylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl chloromethanethio-phosphonate are used as starting materials, the course of the reaction can be represented by the following equation:

[0218] If, in accordance with process (G), 3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-ethylene-thiomethylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and NaOH are used as comrponents, the course of the process according to the invention can be represented by the following equation:

[0219] If, in accordance with process (H_(α)), 3-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-ethyleneoxaethylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and ethyl isocyanate are used as starting materials, the course of the reaction can be represented by the following equation:

[0220] If, in accordance with process (H_(b)), 3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,5-(ethylenebenzylarnino-ethylene-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione and dimethylcarbarnoyl chloride are used as starting materials, the course of the reaction can be represented by the following equation:

[0221] The cyclic aminocarboxylic acids which are interrupted by hetero atoms, of the formula (XIVa), in which A and B have the abovementioned meaning, can generally be obtained by means of a Bucherer-Bergs reaction or a Strecker synthesis.

[0222] (L. Munday, J. Chem. Soc. 4372 (1961); J. T. Eward, C. Jitrangeri, Can. J. Chem. 53, 3339 (1975).

[0223] Furthermore, the starting materials of the formula (II)

[0224] in which

[0225] A, B, X, Y, Z, n and R⁸ have the abovementioned meaning and which are used in the above processes (A) can be prepared when aminonitriles of the formula (XVI)

[0226] in which

[0227] A and B have the abovementioned meaning,

[0228] are reacted with phenylacetyl halides of the formula (XV)

[0229] in which

[0230] X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning and

[0231] Hal represents chlorine or bromine

[0232] to give compounds of the formula (XVII)

[0233] in which

[0234] A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0235] which are subsequently subjected to alcoholysis in sulphuric acid.

[0236] The compounds of the formula (XVII) are also new and are the subject-matter of the general claim of an earlier application, which also includes the processes.

[0237] The compounds of the formula (II)

[0238] in which

[0239] A, B, X, Y, Z, n and R⁸ have the abovementioned meaning,

[0240] and which are required as starting materials in the above process (A) are new and are the subject-matter of the general claim of an earlier application.

[0241] For example, acyl-amino acid esters of the formula (II) are also obtained when amino acid derivatives of the formula (XIV)

[0242] in which

[0243] R^(8′) represents hydrogen (XIVa) or alkyl (XIVb) and

[0244] A and B have the abovementioned meaning

[0245] are acylated with phenylacetyl halides of the formula (XV)

[0246] in which

[0247] X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning and

[0248] Hal represents chlorine or bromine,

[0249] (Chem. Reviews 52, 237-416 (1953); Bhattacharya, Indian J. Chem. 6, 341-5, 1968) and the acylamino acids of the formula (IIa)

[0250] in which

[0251] A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning,

[0252] which have been formed if R^(8′)=hydrogen are esterified.

[0253] In addition to the intermediates mentioned in the preparation examples, the following compounds of the formula (II) may be mentioned by way of example, but not by limitation:

[0254] methyl N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-thiolane carboxylate,

[0255] methyl N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amnno-tetrrhydrothiopyran carboxylate,

[0256] methyl N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carboxylate,

[0257] methyl 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0258] methyl 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0259] methyl 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0260] methyl N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl-1-amino-thiolane-carboxylate,

[0261] methyl N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carboxylate,

[0262] methyl N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carboxylate,

[0263] methyl 4-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0264] methyl 4-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0265] methyl 4-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0266] methyl N-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-3-thiolanecarboxylate,

[0267] methyl N-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-4-tetrahydrothiopyran-carboxylate,

[0268] methyl N-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyrancarboxylate,

[0269] methyl 4-(2-choro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0270] methyl 4-(2-choro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0271] methyl 4-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0272] methyl N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carboxylate,

[0273] methyl N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyrancarboxylate,

[0274] methyl N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyrancarboxylate,

[0275] methyl 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carbxylate,

[0276] methyl (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-caboxylate,

[0277] methyl (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0278] methyl N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carboxylate,

[0279] methyl N-(2,4-dinethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetmhydrothiopyran-carboxylate,

[0280] methyl (2,4-imethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carboxylate,

[0281] methyl 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-aretylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0282] methyl (2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylate,

[0283] methyl 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-4-carboxyethyl-piperidin-4-carboxylate,

[0284] methyl N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-4-phenyl-cyclohexanecarboxylate.

[0285] In addition to the intermediates mentioned in the preparation examples, the following compounds of the formula (IIa) may be mentioned by way of example, but not by limitation:

[0286] N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carboxarboylic acid,

[0287] N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carboxylic acid,

[0288] N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carboxylic acid,

[0289] 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0290] 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0291] 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0292] N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carboxylic acid,

[0293] N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carboxylic acid,

[0294] N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyaan-carboxylic acid,

[0295] 4-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0296] 4-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0297] 4-(2,6-dichorophenylacetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0298] N-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carboxylic acid,

[0299] N-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carboxylic acid,

[0300] N-(2-cldoro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carboxylic acid,

[0301] 4-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0302] 4-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0303] 4-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0304] N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-caboxylic acid,

[0305] N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carboxylic acid,

[0306] N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrhydropyran-carboxylic acid,

[0307] 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0308] 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-caeboxylic acid,

[0309] 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0310] N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carboxylic acid,

[0311] N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carboxylic acid,

[0312] N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carboxylic acid,

[0313] 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0314] 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid,

[0315] 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid.

[0316] In addition to the intermediates mentioned in the preparation examples, the following compounds of the formula (XVII) may be mentioned by way of example, but not by limitation:

[0317] N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-thiolane carbonitrile,

[0318] N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carbonitrile,

[0319] N-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carbonitrile,

[0320] 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0321] 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0322] 4-(2,4-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0323] N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carbonitrile,

[0324] N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carbonitrile,

[0325] N-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetyl)-1-anmno-tetrahydropyran-carbonitrile,

[0326] 4-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetylaniino)-N-methyl-pipetidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0327] 4-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0328] 4-(2,6-dichlorophenylacetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0329] N-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-cabonitrile,

[0330] N-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carbonitrile,

[0331] N-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carbonitrile,

[0332] 4-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-methylpiperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0333] 4-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-acetylpiperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0334] 4-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl-acetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0335] N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carbonitrile,

[0336] N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carbonitrile,

[0337] N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-trahydropyrancarbonitrile,

[0338] 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0339] 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylanino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0340] 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0341] N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-thiolane-carbonitrile,

[0342] N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydrothiopyran-carbonitrile,

[0343] N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetyl)-1-amino-tetrahydropyran-carbonitrile,

[0344] 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-methyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0345] 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetylamino)-N-acetyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile,

[0346] 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-acetylanino)-N-carboxyethyl-piperidine-4-carbonitrile.

[0347] Compounds of the formula (IIa) can be obtained, for example, from the phenylacetyl halides of the formula (XV) and amnino acids of the formula (XIVa) by the method of Schotten-Baumarm (Organikum [Laboratory Practical of Organic Chemistry], 9th Edition, 446 (1970) VEB Deutscher Verlag der Wissenschaften, Berlin).

[0348] The acid halides of the formula (III), carboxylic anhydrides of the formula (IV), chloroformric esters or chloroformic thioesters of the formula (V), chloromonothioformic esters or chlorodithioformic esters of the formula (VI), alkyl halides of the formula (VII), sulphonyl chlorides of the formula (VIII), phosphorus compounds of the formula (IX) and metal hydroxides or amines of the formula (X) and (XI) and isocyanates of the formula (XII) or carbamoyl chloride of the formula (XIII), which are furthermore required as starting materials for carrying out processes (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G) and (H) according to the invention are generally known compounds of organic or inorganic chemistry.

[0349] Process (A) is characterized in that compounds of the formula (II) in which A, B, X, Y, Z, n and R⁸ have the abovementioned meaning are subjected to an intramolecular condensation reaction in the presence of bases.

[0350] Diluents which can be employed in process (A) according to the invention are all inert organic solvents. The following can preferably be used: hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, furthermore ethers such as dibutyl ether, tetrahydrofaan, dioxane, glycol dimethyl ether and diglycol dimethyl ether, furthermore polar solvents such as dimethyl sulphoxide, sulpholane, dimethylformamide and N-methyl-pyrrolidone, and also alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, iso-butanol and tert-butanol.

[0351] Bases (deprotonating agents) which can be employed when carrying out process (A) according to the invention are all customary proton acceptors. The following can preferably be used: the oxides, hydroxides and carbonates of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and calcium carbonate, all of which can also be employed in the presence of phase transfer catalysts such as, for example, triethylbenzylammonium chloride, tetrabutylammonium bromide, ®Adogen 464 or TDA 1*).

[0352] Furthermore, alkali metals such as sodium or potassium can be used. Other substances which can be employed are alkali metal amides, alkali metal hydrides, alkaline earth metal amides and alkaline earth metal hydrides, such as sodium amide, sodium hydride and calcium hydride, and furthermore also alkali metal alcoholates, such as sodium methylate, sodium ethylate and potassium tert-butylate.

[0353] When carrying out process (A) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can be varied within a substantial range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between 0° C. and 250° C., preferably between 50° C. and 150° C.

[0354] Process (A) according to the invention is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure.

[0355] When carrying out process (A) according to the invention, the reactants of the formulae (II) and the deprotonating bases are generally employed in approximately twice the molar amount. However, it is also possible to use a larger excess (up to 3 mol) of one or the other component.

[0356] Process (Bα) is characterized in that compounds of the formula (Ia) are reacted with carboxylic acid halides of the formula (III).

[0357] When using the acid halides, diluents which can be employed in process (Ba) according to the invention are all solvents which are inert towards these compounds. The following can preferably be used: hydrocarbons such as benzine, benzene, toluene, xylene and tetralin, furthernore halogenohydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene and o-dichlorobenzene, furthermore ketones such as acetone and methyl isopropyl ketone, moreover ethers, such as diethyl ether, tetrahydroflran and dioxane, in addition carboxylic esters, such as ethyl acetate, and also strongly polar solvents such as dimethyl sulphoxide and sulpholane. If the acid halide is sufficiently stable to hydrolysis, the reaction may also be carried out in the presence of water.

[0358] If the corresponding carboxylic acid halides are used, then suitable acid-binding agents in the reaction of process (Bα) according to the invention are all customary acid acceptors. The following can preferably be used: tertiary anines such as triethylamine, pyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO); diazabicycloundecene (DBU), diazabicyclononene (DBN), Hünig base and N,N-dimethyl-aniline, furthermore alkaline earth metal oxides such as magnesium oxide and calcium oxide, moreover alkali metal carbonates and alkaline earth metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and calcium carbonate, and also aliali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

[0359] When using carboxylic acid halides in process (Bα) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can also be varied within a substantial range. In general, the process is carried out at ten rtu between −20° C. and +150° C., preferably between 0° C. and 100° C.

[0360] When canrying out process (Bα) according to the invention, the starting materials of the formula (Ia) and the carboxylic acid halide of the formula (III) are generally used in approximately equivalent amounts. However, it is also possible to use a larger excess (up to 5 mol) of the carboxylic acid halide. Working-up is carried out by customary methods.

[0361] Process (Bβ) is characterized in that compounds of the formula (Ia) are reacted with carboxylic anhydrides of the formula (IV).

[0362] If carboxylic anhydrides are used as reactant of the formula (IV) in process (Bβ) according to the invention, then diluents which can be used are preferably those which are also preferably suitable when acid halides are used. In addition, an excess of carboxylic anhydride employed may also simultaneously act as the diluent.

[0363] When using carboxylic anhydrides in process (Bβ) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can be varied within a substantial range. In general, the process is carried out at temperatures between −20° C. and +150° C., preferably between 0° C. and 100° C.

[0364] When carrying out the process according to the invention, the starting materials of the formula (Ia) and the carboxylic anhydride of the formula (IV) are generally used in approximately equivalent amounts. However, it is also possible to use a larger excess (up to 5 mol) of the carboxylic acid halide. Working-up is carried out by customary methods.

[0365] In general, a procedure is followed in which diluent, the excess of carboxylic anhydride and the carboxylic acid which is formed are removed by distillation or by washing with an organic solvent or with water.

[0366] Process (C) is characterized in that compounds of the formula (Ia) are reacted with chloroformic esters or chiorofonic thiolesters of the formula (V).

[0367] If the corresponding chlorofonmic esters or chloroformic thiolesters are used, then suitable acid-binding agents for the reaction in accordance with process (C) according to the invention are all customary acid acceptors. The following can preferably be used: tertiary amines such as triethylamine, pyridine, DABCO, DBU, DBA, Hünig base and N,N-dimethyl-aniline, furthermore alkaline earth metal oxides such as magnesium oxide and calcium oxide, in addition alkali metal carbonates and alkaline earth metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and calcium carbonate, and also alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

[0368] When using the chloroformic esters or chloroformic thiolesters in process (C) according to the invention, suitable diluents are all solvents which are inert to these compounds. The following can preferably be used: hydrocarbons such as benzine, benzene, toluene, xylene and tetralin, furthermore halogenohydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene and o-dichlorobenzene, moreover ketones such as acetone and methyl isopropyl ketone, furthermore ethers such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, in addition carboxylic esters, such as ethyl acetate, and also strongly polar solvents, such as dimethyl sulphoxide and sulpholane.

[0369] When using the chloroforrnic esters or chloroformic thiolesters as carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula (V), the reaction teruperutures for carrying out process (C) according to the invention can be varied within a substantial range. If the process is carried out in the presence of a diluent and of an acid-binding agent, the reaction temperatures are generally between −20° C. and +100° C., preferably between 0° C. and 50° C.

[0370] Process (C) according to the invention is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure.

[0371] When carrying out process (C) according to the invention, the starting materials of the formula (Ia) and the corresponding chloroformic ester or chioroformic thiolester of the formula (V) are generally employed in approximately equivalent amounts. However, it is also possible to employ a larger excess (up to 2 mol) of one or the other component. Working-up is then carried out by customary methods. In general, a procedure is followed in which precipitated salts are removed and the reaction mixture which remains is concentrated by stripping off the diluent.

[0372] In preparation process (D), approximately 1 mol of chloromonothioformic ester or chioroditioformic ester of the formula (VI) is reacted per mole of starting compound of the formula (Ia) at 0 to 120° C., preferably at 20 to 60° C.

[0373] Suitable diluents which are optionally added are all inert polar organic solvents, such as ethers, arnides, alcohols, sulphones and sulphoxides.

[0374] Dimethyl sulphoxide, tetrahydrofiran, dimethylformarnide and dimethyl sulphide are preferably employed.

[0375] If, in a preferred embodiment, the enolate salt of the compound Ia is synthesized by adding strong deprotonating agents such as, for example, sodium hydride or potassium tertiary butylate, a further addition of acid-binding agent can be dispensed with.

[0376] If acid-binding agents are employed, then suitable substances are customary inorganic or organic bases, with sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, pyridine and triethylamiine being mentioned as examples.

[0377] The reaction can be carried out under atmospheric pressure or under elevated pressure, preferably under atmospheric pressure. Working-up is carried out by customary methods.

[0378] In preparation process (Dβ), the equimnolar amount or an excess of carbon disulphide is added per mole of starting compound of the formula (Ia).

[0379] This process is preferably carried out at temperatures from 0 to 50° C. and in particular from 20 to 30° C.

[0380] It is frequently expedient to first prepare the corresponding salt from the compound of the formula (Ia) by adding a deprotonating agent (such as, for example, potassium tertiary-butylate or sodium hydride). The compound (Ia) is reacted with carbon disulphide until the formation of the intermediate is complete, for example after stirring at room tempetrre for several hours.

[0381] The further reaction with the alkyl halide of the formula (VII) is preferably carried out at 0 to 70° C. and in particular at 20 to 50° C. At least the equimolar amount of alkyl halide is employed for this purpose.

[0382] The process is carried out under atmospheric pressure or under elevated pressure, preferably under atmospheric pressure.

[0383] Again, working-up is carried out by customary methods.

[0384] In preparation process (E), approximately 1 mol of sulphonyl chloride (VIII) is reacted per mole of starting compound of the formula (Ia) at 0 to 150° C., preferably at 20 to 70° C.

[0385] Suitable diluents which are optionally added are all inert polar organic solvents such as ethers, amiides, nitriles, alcohols, sulphones, sulphoxides or halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride.

[0386] Dimethyl sulphoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformarnide, dimethyl sulphide and methyloen chloride are preferably employed.

[0387] If, in a preferred embodiment, the enolate salt of the compound Ia is synthesized by adding strong deprotonating agents (such as, for examnple, sodium hydride or potassium tertiary-butylate), a further addition of acid-binding agent can be dispensed with.

[0388] If acid-binding agents are employed then suitable substances are customary inorganic or organic bases, with sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and pyridine being mentioned as examples.

[0389] The reaction can be carried out under atmospheric pressure or under elevated pressure, preferably under atmospheric pressure. Working-up is carried out by customary methods.

[0390] Preparation process (E) can optionally be carried out under phase transfer conditions (W. J. Süillane et al.; J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans I, (3) 677-9 (1982)). In this case, 0.3 to 1.5 mol of sulphonyl chloride VIII, preferably 0.5 mol, are reacted per mole of starting compound of the formula (Ia) at 0° to 150° C., preferably at 20 to 70° C.

[0391] Phase transfer catalysts which can be used are all quaternary ammonium salts, preferably tetraoctylammonium bromide and benzltriethylammonium chloride. In this case, all non-polar inert solvents may act as organic solvents; benzene and toluene are preferably employed.

[0392] To obtain compounds of the structure (Ie) in preparation process (F), 1 to 2, preferably 1 to 1.3, mol of the phosphorus compound of the formula (IX) are reacted per mole of the compound (Ia) at temperatures between −40° C. and 150° C., preferably between −10 and 110° C.

[0393] Suitable diluents which are optionally added are all inert polar organic solvents such as ethers, amides, nitriles, alcohols, sulphides, sulphones, sulphoxides and the like.

[0394] Acetonitrile, dimethyl sulphoxide, tetrahydrofian, dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulphide are preferably employed.

[0395] Suitable acid-binding agents which are optionally added are customary inorganic or organic bases such as hydroxides or carbonates. Examples which may be mentioned are sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and pyridine.

[0396] The reaction can be carried out under atmospheric pressure or under elevated pressure, preferably under atmospheric pressure. Working-up is carried out by customary methods of organic chemistry. The end products obtained are preferably purified by crystallization, chrornatographic purification or by socalled “incipient distillation”, i.e. removal of the volatile components in vacuo.

[0397] Process (G) is characterized in that compounds of the formula (Ia) are reacted with metal compounds (X) or amines (XI).

[0398] Diluents which can be employed in the process according to the invention are preferably ethers such as tetrahydrofuran dioxane, diethyl ether, or else alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, but also water. The process (G) according to the invention is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure. The reaction temperatures are generally between −20° C. and 100° C., preferably between 0° C. and 50° C.

[0399] In preparation process (Hα), approximately 1 mol of isocyanate of the formula (XII) is reacted per mole of starting compound of the formula (Iα) at 0 to 100° C., preferably at 20 to 50° C.

[0400] Suitable diluents which are optionally added are all inert organic solvents such as ethers, amides, nitriles, sulphones and sulphoxides.

[0401] If appropriate, catalysts may be added to accelerate the reaction. Catalysts which are very advantageously employed are organotin compounds such as, for example, dibutyltin dilaurate. The process is preferably carried out under atmospheric pressure.

[0402] In preparation process (Hβ), approximately 1 mol of carbamoyl chloride of the formula (XIII) is reacted per mole of starting compound of the formula (Ia) at 0 to 150° C., preferably at 20 to 70° C.

[0403] Suitable diluents which are optionally added are all inert polar organic solvents such as ethers, amides, alcohols, sulphones or sulphoxides.

[0404] Dimethyl sulphoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformmide or methylene chloride are preferably employed.

[0405] If, in a preferred embodiment, the enolate salt of the compound (Ia) is synthesized by adding strong deprotonating agents (such as, for example, sodium hydride or potassium tertiary-butylate), a fiuther addition of acid-binding agents can be dispensed with.

[0406] If acid-binding agents are employed, then suitable substances are customary inorganic or organic bases, with sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, triethylamine or pyridine being mentioned as examples.

[0407] The reaction can be carried out under atmospheric pressure or under elevated pressure, preferably under atmospheric pressure. Working-up is carried out by customary methods.

[0408] The active compounds are suitable for combating animal pests, preferably arthropods and nematodes, in particular insects and arachnids, which are encountered in agriculture, in forestry, in the protection of stored products and of materials, and in the hygiene field. They are active against normally sensitive and resistant species and against all or some stages of development. The abovementioned pests include:

[0409] From the order of the Isopoda, for example, Oniscus asellus, Armadillidium vulgare and Porcellio scaber.

[0410] From the order of the Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus.

[0411] From the order of the Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus carpophagus and Scutigera spec.

[0412] From the order of the Symphyla, for example, Scutigerella immaculata.

[0413] From the order of the Thysanura, for example, Lepisma saccharina.

[0414] From the order of the Collembola, for example, Onychiurus armatus.

[0415] From the order of the Orthoptera, for example, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Leucophaea maderae, Blattella germanica, Acheta domesticus, Gryllotalpa spp., Locusta migratoria migratorioides, Melanoplus differentialis and Schistocerca gregaria.

[0416] From the order of the Dermaptera, for example, Forficula auricularia.

[0417] From the order of the Isoptera, for example, Reticulitermes spp.

[0418] From the order of the Anoplura, for example, Phylloxera vastatix, Pemphigus spp., Pediculus humanus corporis, Haematopinus spp. and Linognathus spp..

[0419] From the order of the Mallophaga, for example, Trichodectes spp. and Darnalinea spp.

[0420] From the order of the Thysanoptera, for example, Hercinothrips femoralis and Thrips tabaci.

[0421] From the order of the Heteroptera, for example, Eurygaster spp., Dysdercus intermedius, Piesma quadrata, Cimex lectularius, Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma spp.

[0422] From the order of the Homoptera, for example, Aleurodes brassicae, Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporarionrn, Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cryptomyzus ribis, Aphis fabae, Doralis pomi, Eriosoma lanigerurn, Hyalopterus arundinis, Macrosiphum avenae, Myzus spp., Phorodon humuli, Rhopalosiphum padi, Empoasca spp., Euscelis bilobatus, Nephotettix cincticeps, Lecanium corni, Saissetia oleae, Laodelphax striatellus, Nilaparvata lugens, Aonidiella aurantii, Aspidiotus hederae, Pseudococcus spp. and Psylla spp.

[0423] From the order of the Lepidoptera, for example, Pectinophora gossypiella, Bupalus piniarius, Cheimatobia brnmata, Lithocolletis blancardella, Hyponomeuta padella, Plutella maculipennis, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Lymantria spp. Bucculatrix thurberiella, Phyllocnistis citrella, Agrotis spp., Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., Earias insulana, Heliothis spp., Spodoptera exigua, Mamestra brassicae, Panolis flammea, Prodenia litura, Spodoptera spp., Trichoplusia ni, Carpocapsa pomonella, Pieris spp., Chilo spp., Pyrausta nubilalis, Ephestia kuehniella, Galleria mellonella, Tineola bisselliella, Tinea pellionella, Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Cacoecia podana, Capua reticulana, Choristoneura fumiferana, Clysia ambiguella, Homona magnanima and Tortrix viridana.

[0424] From the order of the Coleoptera, for example, Anobium punctatum, Rhizopertha dominica, Acanthoscelides obtectus, Acanthoscelides obtectus, Hylotrupes bajulus, Agelastica alni, Leptinotarsa decernlineata, Phaedon cochleariae, Diabrotica spp., Psylliodes chrysocephala, Epilachna varive stis, Atomaria spp., Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Antho nomus spp., Sitophilus spp., Otiorhynchus sulcatus, Cosmopolites sordidus, Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Hypera postica, Dermestes spp., Trogoderma spp., Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp., Lyctus spp., Meligethes aeneus, Ptinus spp., Niptus hololeucus, Gibbium psylloides, Tribolium spp., Tenebrio molitor, Agriotes spp., Cono derus spp., Melolontha melolontha, Arnphimallon solsti tialis and Costelytra zealandica.

[0425] From the order of the Hymenoptera, for example, Diprion spp., Hoplocanmpa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis and Vespa spp.

[0426] From the order of the Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Culex spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Musca spp., Fannia spp., Calliphora erytirocephala, Lucilia spp., Chrysomyia spp., Cuterebra spp., Gastrophilus spp., Hyppobosca spp., Stomoxys spp., Oestrus spp., Hypoderma spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp., Bibio hortulanus, Oscinella frit, Phorbia spp., Pegomyia hyoscyami, Ceratitis capitata, Dacus oleae and Tipula paludosa.

[0427] From the order of the Siphonaptera, for example, Xenopsylla cheopis and Ceratophyllus spp.

[0428] From the order of the Arachnida, for example, Scorpio maurus and Latrodectus mactans.

[0429] From the order of the Acarina, for example, Acarus siro, Argas spp., Omithodoros spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Eriophyes ribis, Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Boophilus spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Psoroptes spp., Chorioptes spp., Sarcoptes spp., Tarsonemus spp., Bryobia praetiosa, Panonychus spp. and Tetranychus spp.

[0430] The active compounds according to the invention are distinguished by a powerful insecticidal and acaricidal activity.

[0431] They can be employed particularly successfully for combating insects which damage plants, for example against the larvae of the mustard beetle (Phaedon cochleariae) or against the larvae of the green rice leafhopper (Nephotettix cincticeps) for combating mites which damage plants, such as, for examnple, the greenhouse red spider mite or the two-spotted spider mite (Tetanychus urticae).

[0432] The active compounds according to the invention can furthermore be used as defoliants, desiccants, agents for destroying broad-leaved plants and, especially, as weed-killers. By weeds, in the broadest sense, there are to be understood all plants which grow in locations where they are undesired Whether the substances according to the invention act as total or selective herbicides depends essentially on the amount used.

[0433] The active compounds according to the invention can be used, for example, in connection with-the following plants: p1 Dicotyledon weeds of the genera: Sinapis, Lepidiuw, Galium, Stellaria, Matricaria, Anthemis, Galinsoga, Chenopodium, Urtica, Senecio, Amaranthus, Portulaca, Xanthium, Convolvulus, Ipomoea, Polygonum, Sesbania, Ambrosia, Cirsium, Carduus, Sonchus, Solanum, Rorippa, Rotala, Lindernia, Lamium, Veronica, Abutilon, Emex, Datura, Viola, Galeopsis, Papaver, Centaurea, Trifoliurm, Ranunculus and Taraxacun.

[0434] Dicotyledon cultures of the genera: Gossypium, Glycine, Beta, Daucus, Phaseolus, Pisum, Solanur, Linum, Ipomoea, Vicia, Nicotiana, Lycopersicon, Aramchis, Brassica, Lactuca, Cucumis and Cucurbita.

[0435] Monocotyledon weeds of the genera: Echinochloa, Setaria, Panicum, Digitaria, Phleurm, Poa, Festuca, Eleusine, Brachiaria, Loliumn, Bromus, Avena, Cyperus, Sorghum, Agropyron, Cynodon, Monochoria, Firnbristylis, Sagittaria, Eleocharis, Scirpus, Paspalum, Ischaemum, Sphenoclea, Dactyloctenium, Agrostis, Alopecurus and Apera.

[0436] Monocotyledon cultures of the genera: Oryza, Zea, Triticum, Hordeum, Avena, Secale, Sorghum, Panicum, Saccham, Ananas, Asparagus and Allium.

[0437] However, the use of the active compounds according to the invention is in no way restricted to these genera, but also extends in the same manner to other plants.

[0438] The compounds are suitable, depending on the concentration, for the total combating of weeds, for example on industrial terrain and rail tracks, and on paths and squares with or without tree plantings. Equally, the compounds can be employed for combating weeds in perennial cultures, for example afforestations, decorative tree plantings, orchards, vineyards, citrus groves, nut orchards, banana plantations, coffee plantations, tea plantations, rubber plantations, oil palm plantations, cocoa plantations, soft fruit plantings and hopfields, in lawns, turf and pasture-land, and for the selective combating of weeds in annual cultures.

[0439] The active compounds according to the invention are highly suitable for selectively combating monocotyledon weeds in dicotyledon cultures by the pre- and post-emergence methods. For example, they can be used very successfully in cotton or sugar beet for combating grass weeds.

[0440] The active compounds can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, suspensions, powders, dusting agents, pastes, soluble powders, granules, suspension-emulsion concentrates, natural and synthetic materials impregnated with active compound, and very fine capsules in polymeric substances.

[0441] These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, that is liquid solvents and/or solid carriers, optionally with the use of surface-active agents, that is emulsifying agents and/or dispersing agents and/or foam-forming agents.

[0442] In the case of the use of water as an extender, organic solvents can, for example, also be used as auxiliary solvents. As liquid solvents, there are suitable in the main: aromatics, such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example petroleum fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol as well as their ethers and esters, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, as well as water.

[0443] As solid carriers there are -suitable: for example ammonium salts and ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk quartz, attapulgite, montrnorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as highly disperse silica, alumina and silicates, as solid carriers for granules there are suitable: for exale crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, as well as synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks; as emulsifying and/or foam-forning agents there are suitable: for example non-ionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, allyl sulphates, arylsulphonates as well as albumen hydrolysis products; as dispersing agents there are suitable: for example lignin-sulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

[0444] Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latexes, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, as well as natural phospholipids, such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospholipids, can be used in the formulations. Further additives can be mineral and vegetable oils.

[0445] It is possible to use colourants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs and metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

[0446] The formulations in general contain between 0.1 and 95 per cent by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.5 and 90%.

[0447] For combating weeds, the active compounds according to the invention, as such or in the form of their formulations, can also be used as mixtures with known herbicides, finished formulations or tank mixes being possible.

[0448] Suitable herbicides for the mixtures are known herbicides, such as, for example, 1-amino-1ethylthio-3-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione (AMETHY-DIONE) or N-(2-benzothiazolyl)-N,N′-dimethylurea (METABENZTHIAZURON) for combating weeds in cereals; 4-amino-3-methyl-6-phenyl-1,2,4-tiazin-5(4H)-one (METAMITRON) for combating weeds in sugar beet and 4-amimo-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-methylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5-(4H)-one (NETRIBUZEN) for combating weeds in soya beans. MixtUres with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-butyric acid (2,4-DB); 2,4-dichlorophenoxypropionic acid (2,4-DP); 3-isopropyl-2,1,3-benzotiadiazin-4-one 2,2-dioxide (BENTAZONE); methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate (BIFENOX); 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy-benzonitrile (BROMOXYNIL); 2-chloro-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-amino]-carbonylbenzenesulphonamide (CHLORSULFURON); 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-phenoxy]-propionic acid, its methyl ester or its ethyl ester (DICLOFOPMETHYL); 4-amino-6-t-butyl-3-ethylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (ETHIOZIN); 2-4-[(6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyl)oxy]-phenoxy-propanoic acid, its methyl ester or its ethyl ester (FENOXAPROP); [(4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)-oxy]-acetic acid or its 1-methylheptyl ester (FLUROXYPYR); methyl 2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-4(5)methylbenzoate (IMAZAMETHABENZ); 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile (IOXYNIL); N,N-dimethyl-N′-4-isopropylphenyl)-urea (ISOPROTURON); (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)-acetic acid (MCPA); (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-propionic acid (MCPP); N-methyl-2-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yloxy)-acetanilide (MEFENACET); 2-[[((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)-carbonyl]-amino]-sulphonyl-benzoic acid or its (METSULFURON); N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimeihyl-2,6-dinitroaniline (PENDIMETHALIN); 0-(6-chloro-3-phenyl-pyridazin-4-yl) S-octyl thiocarbonate (PYRIDATE); 4-ethylamino-2-t-butylamino-6-methylthio-s-triazine (TERBUTRYNE); 3-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-amino]-carbonyl]-amino]-sulphonyl]-thiophene-2-cadboxylic acid (THIAMETURON) are also possible. Surprisingly, some mixtures also show a synergistic action.

[0449] Mixtures with other known active compounds, such as fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, bird repellants, plant nutrients and agents which improve soil structure, are also possible.

[0450] The insecticides include, for example, phosphates, carbamates, carboxylates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, phenylureas or substances produced from microorganisms and the like.

[0451] The following compounds may be mentioned:

[0452] acrinathrin, alphamethrin, betacyfluth, bifenthrin, brofenprox, cis-resmethrin, clocythrin, cycloprotlirin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermetin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropaffrin, fenvalerate, flucyhrinate, fluvalinate, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, pyresmethrin, pyrethrum, silfafluofen, tralomethrin, zeta-methrin, alanycarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bufencarb, butocarboxim, carbaryl, cartap, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, fenoxycarb, isoprocaib, methiocarb, methomyl, metolcarb, oxamyl, pirimicarb, promecarb, propoxur, terbam, thiodicarb, thiofanox, trimethacarb, XMC, xylylcarb, acephate, azinphos A, azinphos M, bromophos A, cadusafos, carbophenothion, chlorfenvinphos, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos M, cyanophos, demeton M, demeton-S-methyl, demeton S, diazinon, dichlorvos, dicliphos, dichlorfenthion, dicrotophos, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, dioxathion, disulfoton, edifenphos, ethion, etrimphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, fonophos, formothion, heptenophos, iprobenfos, isazophos, isoxathion, phorate, malathion, mecarbam, mervinphos, mesulfenphos, methacrifos, methamidophos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton M, oxydeprofos, parathion A, parathion M, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamdon, phoxim, pirimiphos A, pirimiphos M, propaphos, prothiophos, prothoate, pyraclophos, pyridaphenthion, quinalphos, salithion, sebufos, sulfotep, sulprofos, tetrachlorvinphos, temephos, thiomethon, thionazin, trichlorfon, triazophos, vamidothion, buprofezin, chlorflluauron, diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, pyriproxifen, tebufenozide, teflubenzuron, triflumuron, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, N-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N′-cyano-N-methylethaneimidamide (NI-25), abamectin, amitiazin, avermectin, azadirachtin, bensultap, Bacillus thuringiensis, cyromazine, diafenthiuron, emamectin, ethofenprox, fenpyrad, fipronil, flufenprox, lufenuron, metaldehyd, milbemectin, pymetrozine, tebufenpyrad, triazuron, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benftiracarb, carbofuran, carbosulfan, chiorethoxyfos, cloethocarb, disulfoton, ethophrophos, etrimphos, fenamiphos, fipronil, fonofos, fosthiazate, furathiocarb, HCH, isazophos, isofenphos, methiocarb, monocrotophos, nitenpyram, oxamyl, phorate, phoxim, prothiofos, pyrachlofos, sebufos, silafluofen, tebupirimphos, tefluthlin, terbufos, thiodicarb, thiafenox, azocyclotin, butylpyridaben, clofentezine, cyhexatin, diafenthiuron, diethion, emamectin, fenazaquin, fenbutatin oxide, fenothiocarb, fenpropatlirin, fenpyrad, fenpyroximate, fluazinam, fluazuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, fluvalinate, fubfenprox, hexythiazox, ivemectin, methidathion, monocrotophos, moxidectin, naled, phosalone, profenofos, pyraclofos, pyridaben, pyrimidifen, tebufenpyrad, thuringiensin, triarathene and 4-bromo-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(ethoxymethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrole-carbonitrile (AC 303630).

[0453] The active compounds can be used as such, in the form of their formulations or in the use forms prepared therefrom by further dilution, such as ready-to-use solutions, suspensions, emulsions, powders, pastes and granules. They are used in the customary manner, for example by watering, spraying, atomizing or scattering.

[0454] The active compounds according to the invention can be applied either before or after emergence of the plants.

[0455] They can also be incorporated into the soil before sowing.

[0456] The amount of active compound used can vary within a substantial range. It depends essentially on the nature of the desired effect. In general, the amounts used are between 0.01 and 10 kg of active compound per hectare of soil surface, preferably between 0.05 and 5 kg per ha.

[0457] The preparation and use of the active compounds according to the invention can be seen from the following examples.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES Example Ia-1

[0458] 49.9 g of potassium t-butylate are introduced into 130 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, a solution of 65 g of methyl N-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-acetyltetrahydrothiophene-3-amino-carboxylate in 420 ml of dry toluene are added under reflux, and the mixture is refluxed for 90 minutes. After cooling, the reaction solution is treated with 650 ml of water and the aqueous phase is separated off. The organic phase is washed with another 300 ml of water. The aqueous phases are combined and acidified with 70 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and the precipitate is filtered off with suction and dried. This gives 56 g (96% of theory), mp. >230° C.

[0459] The following compounds are obtained analogously: TABLE 1a

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) M.p. ° C. Ia-2 Cl Cl H >220 Ia-3 Cl H 6-F Ia-4 Cl H 6-Cl Ia-5 CH₃ CH₃ H Ia-6 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl

[0460] TABLE 1b

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) M.p. ° C. Ia-7  Cl Cl H Ia-8  Cl H 6-F Ia-9  Cl H 6-Cl Ia-10 CH₃ CH₃ H Ia-11 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ >220 Ia-12 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl

[0461] TABLE 1c

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) M.p. ° C. Ia-13 Cl Cl H >220 Ia-14 Cl H 6-F Ia-15 Cl H 6-Cl Ia-16 CH₃ CH₃ H >230 Ia-17 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ >220 Ia-18 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl

[0462] TABLE 1d

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) M.p. ° C. Ia-20 Cl Cl H Ia-21 Cl H 6-F Ia-22 Cl H 6-Cl Ia-23 CH₃ CH₃ H Ia-24 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ >220 Ia-25 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl

[0463] TABLE 1e

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) M.p. ° C. Ia-26 Cl Cl H Ia-27 Cl H 6-F Ia-28 Cl H 6-Cl Ia-29 CH₃ CH₃ H Ia-30 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ >220 Ia-31 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl

[0464] TABLE 1f

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) M.p. ° C. Ia-32 Cl Cl H Ia-33 Cl H 6-F Ia-34 Cl H 6-Cl Ia-35 CH₃ CH₃ H Ia-36 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ Ia-37 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl

Example I b-1

[0465] 5.8 g of the compound of Example I a-1 in 70 ml of dry methylene chloride are treated with 2.8 ml of triethylamine, and 1.5 ml of acetyl chloride in 5 ml of dry methylene chloride are added at 0 to 10° C. The reaction solution is washed twice using 200 ml of 0.5 N sodium hydroxide solution and dried over magnesium sulphate, and the solvent is distilled off. 1.7 g (26% of theory) remain, m.p. 211° C.

[0466] The following compounds are obtained analogously: TABLE 2a

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R¹ M.p. ° C. Ib-2  Cl Cl H CH₃ 199-201 Ib-3  Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ib-4  Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-5  CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ib-6  Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-7  Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ 133-135 Ib-8  Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ib-9  Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-10 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ib-11 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ 175 Ib-12 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-13 Cl Cl H t-C₄H₉ Ib-14 Cl H 6-F t-C₄H₉ Ib-15 Cl H 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-16 CH₃ CH₃ H t-C₄H₉ Ib-17 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ t-C₄H₉ 185 Ib-18 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-19 Cl Cl H Ph Ib-20 Cl H 6-F Ph Ib-21 Cl H 6-Cl Ph Ib-22 CH₃ CH₃ H Ph Ib-23 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ Ph Ib-24 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl Ph

[0467] TABLE 2b

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R¹ M.p. ° C. Ib-25 Cl Cl H CH₃ Ib-27 Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ib-28 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-29 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ib-30 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ >220 Ib-31 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-32 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ Ib-33 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ib-34 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-35 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ib-36 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ 208-209 Ib-37 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-38 Cl Cl H t-C₄H₉ Ib-39 Cl H 6-F t-C₄H₉ Ib-40 Cl H 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-41 CH₃ CH₃ H t-C₄H₉ Ib-42 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ t-C₄H₉ >220 Ib-43 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-44 Cl Cl H phenyl Ib-45 Cl H 6-F phenyl Ib-46 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl Ib-47 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl Ib-48 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl Ib-49 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl

[0468] TABLE 2c

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R¹ M.p. ° C. Ib-50 Cl Cl H CH₃ Ib-51 Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ib-52 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-53 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ib-54 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ Ib-55 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-56 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ Ib-57 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ib-58 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-59 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ib-60 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ Ib-61 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-62 Cl Cl H t-C₄H₉ Ib-63 Cl H 6-F t-C₄H₉ Ib-64 Cl H 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-65 CH₃ CH₃ H t-C₄H₉ Ib-66 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ t-C₄H₉ Ib-67 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-68 Cl Cl H phenyl Ib-69 Cl H 6-F phenyl Ib-70 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl Ib-71 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl Ib-72 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl Ib-73 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl

[0469] TABLE 2d

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R¹ M.p. ° C. Ib-74 Cl Cl H CH₃ Ib-75 Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ib-76 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-77 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ib-78 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ Ib-79 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-80 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ Ib-81 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ib-82 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-83 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ib-84 CH₃ CH₃ 6CH₃ i-C₃H₇ Ib-85 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-86 Cl Cl H t-C₄H₉ Ib-87 Cl H 6-F t-C₄H₉ Ib-88 Cl H 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-89 CH₃ CH₃ H t-C₄H₉ Ib-90 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ t-C₄H₉ Ib-91 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-92 Cl Cl H phenyl Ib-93 Cl H 6-F phenyl Ib-94 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl Ib-95 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl Ib-96 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl Ib-97 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl

[0470] TABLE 2e

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R¹ M.p. ° C. Ib-98  Cl Cl H CH₃ Ib-99  Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ib-100 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-101 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ib-102 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ Ib-103 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-104 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ Ib-105 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ib-106 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-107 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ib-108 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ Ib-109 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ lb-110 Cl Cl H t-C₄H₉ Ib-111 Cl H 6-F t-C₄H₉ Ib-112 Cl H 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-113 CH₃ CH₃ H t-C₄H₉ Ib-114 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ t-C₄H₉ Ib-115 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-116 Cl Cl H phenyl Ib-117 Cl H 6-F phenyl Ib-118 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl Ib-119 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl Ib-120 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl Ib-121 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl

[0471] TABLE 2f

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R¹ M.p. ° C. Ib-122 Cl Cl H CH₃ >220 Ib-123 Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ib-124 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-125 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃   186 Ib-126 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ >220 Ib-127 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ib-128 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ 205-206 Ib-129 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ib-130 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-131 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇   169 Ib-132 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ 212-215 Ib-133 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ib-134 Cl Cl H t-C₄H₉ 209-212 Ib-135 Cl H 6-F t-C₄H₉ Ib-136 Cl H 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-137 CH₃ CH₃ H t-C₄H₉   162 Ib-138 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ t-C₄H₉ Ib-139 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl t-C₄H₉ Ib-140 Cl Cl H Ph Ib-141 Cl H 6-F Ph Ib-142 Cl H 6-Cl Ph Ib-143 CH₃ CH₃ H Ph Ib-144 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ Ph Ib-145 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl Ph Ib-146 CH₃ CH₃ H H₅C₂—O—CH₂—   171 Ib-147 CH₃ CH₃ H

>220 Ib-148 CH₃ CH₃ H

>220 Ib-149 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ (CH₃)₃C—CH₂—   199 Ib-150 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

>220 Ib-151 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

>220 Ib-152 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

>220 Ib-153 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

>220 Ib-154 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

  201 Ib-155 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ H₅C₂—O—CH₂—   182 Ib-156 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₄H₉ >220 Ib-157 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

  214

Example I c-1

[0472] 5.8 g of the compound of Example I a-1 in 70 ml of dry methylene chloride are treated with 2.8 ml of triethylamine, and 2.7 g of sec-butyl chloroformate in 5 ml of dry methylene chloride are added at 0 to 10° C. The reaction solution is washed twice using 200 ml of 0.5 N sodium hydroxide solution and dried over magnesium sulphate, and the solvent is distilled off. 1.7 g (22% of theory) remain, m.p. 157° C.

[0473] The following compounds are obtained analogously: TABLE 3a

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R² M.p. ° C. Ic-2  Cl Cl H CH₃ Ic-3  Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ic-4  Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ic-5  CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ic-6  CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ Ic-7  Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ic-8  Cl Cl H C₂H₅ 159-162 Ic-9  Cl H 6-F C₂H₅ Ic-10 Cl H 6-Cl C₂H₅ Ic-11 CH₃ CH₃ H C₂H₅ Ic-12 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ C₂H₅ 134 Ic-13 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ Ic-14 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ic-15 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ic-16 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ic-17 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ Ic-18 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ic-19 Cl Cl H s-C₄H₉ Ic-20 Cl H 6-F s-C₄H₉ Ic-21 Cl H 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ Ic-22 CH₃ CH₃ H s-C₄H₉ Ic-23 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ Ic-24 Cl Cl H phenyl Ic-25 Cl H 6-F phenyl Ic-26 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl Ic-27 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl Ic-28 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl Ic-29 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl Ic-30 Cl Cl H benzyl Ic-31 Cl H 6-F benzyl Ic-32 Cl H 6-Cl benzyl Ic-33 CH₃ CH₃ H benzyl Ic-34 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ benzyl Ic-35 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl benzyl

[0474] TABLE 3b

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R² M M.p. ° C. Ic-36 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ S Ic-37 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ S Ic-38 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ S Ic-39 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ S Ic-40 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ S 208-209 Ic-41 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ O Ic-42 Cl Cl H C₂H₅ O Ic-43 Cl H 6-F C₂H₅ O Ic-44 Cl H 6-Cl C₂H₅ O Ic-45 CH₃ CH₃ H C₂H₅ O Ic-46 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ C₂H₅ O 201-202 Ic-47 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ O Ic-48 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ O Ic-49 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ O Ic-50 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ O Ic-51 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ O Ic-52 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ O Ic-53 Cl Cl H s-C₄H₉ O Ic-54 Cl H 6-F s-C₄H₉ O Ic-55 Cl H 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ O Ic-56 CH₃ CH₃ H s-C₄H₉ O Ic-57 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ s-C₄H₉ O 185-187 Ic-58 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ O Ic-60 Cl Cl H phenyl O Ic-61 Cl H 6-F phenyl O Ic-62 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl O Ic-63 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl O Ic-64 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl O Ic-65 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl O Ic-66 Cl Cl H benzyl O Ic-67 Cl H 6-F benzyl O Ic-68 Cl H 6-Cl benzyl O Ic-69 CH₃ CH₃ H benzyl O Ic-70 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ benzyl O Ic-71 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl benzyl O

[0475] TABLE 3c

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R² M.p. ° C. Ic-72 Cl Cl H CH₃ Ic-73 Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ic-74 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ic-75 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ic-76 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ Ic-77 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ic-78 Cl Cl H C₂H₅ Ic-79 Cl H 6-F C₂H₅ Ic-80 Cl H 6-Cl C₂H₅ Ic-81 CH₃ CH₃ H C₂H₅ Ic-82 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ C₂H₅ Ic-83 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ Ic-84 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ic-85 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ic-86 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ic-87 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ Ic-88 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ic-89 Cl Cl H s-C₄H₉ Ic-90 Cl H 6-F s-C₄H₉ Ic-91 Cl H 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ Ic-92 CH₃ CH₃ H s-C₄H₉ Ic-93 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ s-C₄H₉ Ic-94 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ Ic-95 Cl Cl H phenyl Ic-96 Cl H 6-F phenyl Ic-97 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl Ic-98 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl Ic-99 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl  Ic-100 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl  Ic-101 Cl Cl H benzyl  Ic-102 Cl H 6-F benzyl  Ic-103 Cl H 6-Cl benzyl  Ic-104 CH₃ CH₃ H benzyl  Ic-105 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ benzyl  Ic-106 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl benzyl

[0476] TABLE 3d

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R² M.p. ° C. Ic-107 Cl Cl H CH₃ Ic-108 Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ic-109 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ic-110 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ic-111 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ Ic-112 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ic-113 Cl Cl H C₂H₅ Ic-114 Cl H 6-F C₂H₅ Ic-115 Cl H 6-Cl C₂H₅ Ic-116 CH₃ CH₃ H C₂H₅ Ic-117 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ C₂H₅ 216 Ic-118 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ Ic-119 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ic-120 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ic-121 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ic-122 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ Ic-123 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ic-124 Cl Cl H s-C₄H₉ Ic-125 Cl H 6-F s-C₄H₉ Ic-126 Cl H 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ Ic-127 CH₃ CH₃ H s-C₄H₉ Ic-128 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ s-C₄H₉ Ic-129 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ Ic-130 Cl Cl H phenyl Ic-131 Cl H 6-F phenyl Ic-132 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl Ic-133 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl Ic-134 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl Ic-135 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl Ic-136 Cl Cl H benzyl Ic-137 Cl H 6-F benzyl Ic-138 Cl H 6-Cl benzyl Ic-139 CH₃ CH₃ H benzyl Ic-140 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ benzyl Ic-141 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl benzyl

[0477] TABLE 3e

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R² M.p. ° C. Ic-142 Cl Cl H CH₃ Ic-143 Cl H 6-F CH₃ Ic-144 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ Ic-145 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ Ic-146 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ Ic-147 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ Ic-148 Cl CI H C₂H₅ Ic-149 Cl H 6-F C₂H₅ Ic-150 Cl H 6-Cl C₂H₅ Ic-151 CH₃ CH₃ H C₂H₅ Ic-152 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ C₂H₅ Ic-153 Cl CI H i-C₃H₇ Ic-154 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ Ic-155 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ic-156 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ Ic-157 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ i-C₃H₇ Ic-158 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ Ic-159 Cl Cl H s-C₄H₉ Ic-160 Cl H 6-F s-C₄H₉ Ic-161 Cl H 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ Ic-162 CH₃ CH₃ H s-C₄H₉ Ic-163 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ s-C₄H₉ Ic-164 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ Ic-165 Cl Cl H phenyl Ic-166 Cl H 6-F phenyl Ic-167 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl Ic-168 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl Ic-169 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ phenyl Ic-170 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl Ic-171 Cl Cl H benzyl Ic-172 Cl H 6-F benzyl Ic-173 Cl H 6-Cl benzyl Ic-174 CH₃ CH₃ H benzyl Ic-175 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ benzyl Ic-176 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl benzyl

[0478] TABLE 3f

Ex. No. X Y Z_(n) R² M M.p. ° C. Ic-177 Cl Cl H CH₃ O Ic-178 Cl H 6-F CH₃ O Ic-179 Cl H 6-Cl CH₃ O Ic-180 CH₃ CH₃ H CH₃ O Ic-181 CH₃ CH₃ 6- CH₃ O   191 CH₃ Ic-182 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl CH₃ O Ic-183 Cl Cl H C₂H₅ O 194-196 Ic-184 Cl H 6-F C₂H₅ O Ic-185 Cl H 6-Cl C₂H₅ O Ic-186 CH₃ CH₃ H C₂H₅ O   188 Ic-187 CH₃ CH₃ 6- C₂H₅ O 193-195 CH₃ Ic-188 Cl Cl H i-C₃H₇ O Ic-189 Cl H 6-F i-C₃H₇ O Ic-190 Cl H 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ O Ic-191 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₃H₇ O   177 Ic-192 CH₃ CH₃ 6- i-C₃H₇ O   197 CH₃ Ic-193 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl i-C₃H₇ O Ic-194 Cl Cl H s-C₄H₉ O 203-205 Ic-195 Cl H 6-F s-C₄H₉ O Ic-196 Cl H 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ O Ic-197 CH₃ CH₃ H s-C₄H₉ O   151 Ic-198 CH₃ CH₃ 6- s-C₄H₉ O 215-218 CH₃ Ic-199 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl s-C₄H₉ O Ic-200 Cl Cl H phenyl O Ic-201 Cl H 6-F phenyl O Ic-202 Cl H 6-Cl phenyl O Ic-203 CH₃ CH₃ H phenyl O Ic-204 CH₃ CH₃ 6- phenyl O >220 CH₃ Ic-205 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl phenyl O Ic-206 Cl Cl H benzyl O Ic-207 Cl H 6-F benzyl O Ic-208 Cl H 6-Cl benzyl O Ic-209 CH₃ CH₃ H benzyl O >220 Ic-210 CH₃ CH₃ 6- benzyl O   215 CH₃ Ic-211 Cl CF₃ 6-Cl benzyl O Ic-212 CH₃ CH₃ H

O   218 Ic-213 CH₃ CH₃ H i-C₄H₉ O   178 Ic-214 CH₃ CH₃ 6- (CH₃)₂CH—(CH₂)₂— S 185-190 CH₃ Ic-215 CH₃ CH₃ 6- i-C₃H₇ S 210-215 CH₃ Ic-216 CH₃ CH₃ 6- t-C₄H₉ S 220-225 CH₃ Ic-217 CH₃ CH₃ 6- i-C₄H₉ O   188 CH₃ Ic-218 CH₃ CH₃ 6- CH₃

O   198

Example I d-1

[0479] 5.8 g of the compound of Example I a-11 in 70 ml of dry methylene chloride are treated with 2.8 ml of triethylamine, and 1.7 g of methanesulphonyl chloride in 5 ml of dry methylene chloride are added at 0 to 10° C. The reaction solution is washed twice using 200 ml of 0.5 N sodium hydroxide solution and dried over magnesium sulphate, and the solvent is distilled off. 3.2 g (56% of theory) remain, m.p. 220° C.

Example I e-1

[0480]

[0481] 3 g of the compound of Example Ia-11 are introduced into 20 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, the mixture is treated with 1.5 ml of triethylamine, and 2.1 g of sec-butyl ethanethiophosphonothioate are added. The mixture is stirred for 1 day at 50° C., the solvent is evaporated, and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel using hexane/acetone 9:1 as the eluant. After the solvent has been evaporated, 1.1 g (=23% of theory) of the above compound of m.p. 216° C. are obtained.

[0482] Example (Ie-2) of m.p. 208° C. was obtained analogously:

Example I f-1

[0483] 5.8 g of the compound of Example I a-11 in 70 ml of dry methylene chloride are treated with 6.24 ml of tetrabutylammoniun hydroxide (in the form of a 40% strength aqueous solution) and the mixture is stirred for 15 minutes at 0 to 10° C. The reaction solution is concentrated and the residue is crystallized by adding diisopropyl ether. After the precipitate has been obtained by filtration with suction, 5.4 g (99% of theory) remain, m.p. 110° C.

Example I g-1

[0484] 5.8 g of the compound of Example I a-11 in 70 ml of dry methylene chloride are treated with 2.8 ml of triethylamine, and 1.76 ml of morpholinecarbamoyl chloride in 5 ml of dry methylene chloride are added at 0 to 10° C. The reaction solution is washed twice using 200 ml of 0.5 N sodium hydroxide solution and dried over magnesium sulphate, and the solvent is distilled off. 1.2 g (19% of theory) remain, m.p. 198° C.

[0485] Examples for the Preparation of Intermediates of the Formula XVII

Example XVII-1

[0486] 56 ml of triethylamine are added to 51.2 g of 3-amino-3-cyano-thiolane in 600 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, and a solution of 78.6 g of mesityleneacetyl chloride in 80 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise at 0° C. The reaction mixture is poured into 1.2 l of ice-water, 200 ml of 1 N hydrochloric acid are added, and the precipitate which forms is obtained by filtration with suction and dried. This gives 89.5 g (78% of theory) of the following compound, m.p. 174-175° C.

[0487] The following compounds XVII are obtained analogously. (XVII)

Ex. No. X X Z_(n) A B M.p. XVII-2 Cl Cl H —(CH₂)₂—S—CH₂— 131-133 XVII-3 CH₃ CH₃ 6- —(CH₂)₂—S—(CH₂)₂— >220 CH₃ XVII-4 Cl Cl H —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₂— 198-199 XVII-5 CH₃ CH₃ 6- —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₂— 182-183 CH₃ XVII-6 CH₃ CH₃ 6- CH₃

  176 XVII-7 CH₃ CH₃ 6- CH₃

  206 XVII-8 CH₃ CH₃ 6- CH₃

  120 XVII-9 CH₃ CH₃ 6- CH₃

  161 XVII- CH₃ CH₃ H —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₂—   152 10

[0488] Examples for the Preparation of Intermediates of the Formula II

Example II-1

[0489] A suspension of 89.5 g of the compound of Example XVII-1 in 500 ml of methylene chloride is added to 152.4 g of concentrated sulphuric acid, stirring is continued for 2 hours, and 218 ml of methanol are added dropwise at 40° C. Stirring is continued for 6 hours at 40-70° C. The reaction solution is poured onto 1.5 l of ice and extracted using 500 ml of methylene chloride, the methylene chloride phase is dried, and the solvent is distilled off. This gives 65 g (65% of theory) of the compund of the formula

[0490] m.p. 111-113° C.

[0491] The following compounds of the formula II are obtained analogously:

Ex. No. X X Z_(n) A B M.p. II-2 Cl Cl H —(CH₂)₂—S—CH₂— 133-135 II-3 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ —(CH₂)₂—S—(CH₂)₂— 158 II-4 Cl Cl H —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₂— 130-131 II-5 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃ —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₂— 153-154 II-6 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

128-130 II-7 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

148-150 II-8 CH₃ CH₃ 6-CH₃

oil II-9 CH₃ CH₃ H —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₂— 119

[0492] The following comparison compounds which are known from the prior art were employed in the use examples:

[0493] (all disclosed in EP 0456063)

Example A

[0494] Myzus Test

[0495] Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide

[0496] Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

[0497] To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent and the stated amount of emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

[0498] Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea) which are severely infested with the green peach apid (Myzus persicae) are treated by being dipped into the preparation of active compound of the desired concentration.

[0499] After the specified periods of time, the destruction in % is detenmined. 100% means that all the aphids have been killed; 0% means that none of the aphids have been killed.

[0500] In this test, a destruction rate of at least 90% was shown, after 6 days, for example by the compounds of Preparation Examples Ia-17 and Ib-128 at an exemplary active compound concentration of 0.01%, while the prior-art compound (A) resulted in no destruction and the prior-art compound (B) merely achieved a destruction rate of 20% at an active compound concentration of 0.1%.

Example B

[0501] Plutella Test

[0502] Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide

[0503] Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

[0504] To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent and the stated amount of emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

[0505] Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea) are treated by being dipped into the preparation of active compound of the desired concentration and are infested with caterpillars of the diamond-back moth (Plutella maculipennis) while the leaves are still moist.

[0506] After the specified periods of time, the destruction in % is determiined. 100% means that all the caterpillars have been killed; 0% means that none ofthe caterpillars have been killed.

[0507] In this test, a destruction rate of 100% was shown, after 3 days, for example by the compound of Preparation Example Ia-132 at an exemplary active compound concentration of 0.1%.

Example C

[0508] Nephotettix Test

[0509] Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide

[0510] Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

[0511] To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent and the stated amount of emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water containing emulsifier to the desired concentration.

[0512] Rice seedlings (Oryza sativa) are treated by being dipped into the preparation of active compound of the desired concentration and are infested with larvae of the green rice leafhopper (Nephotettix Cincticeps) while the leaves are still moist.

[0513] After the specified periods of time, the destruction in % is detemiined 100% means that all the leafhoppers have been killed; 0% means that none of the leafhoppers have been killed.

[0514] In this test, a destruction rate of 100% was shown, for example, by the compounds of Preparation Examples Ic-194 and Ic-198 at an exemplary active compound concentration of 0.01%.

Example D

[0515] Tetranychus Test (OP Resistant)

[0516] Solvent: 3 parts by weight of dimethylformamide

[0517] Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

[0518] To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent and the stated amount of emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

[0519] Bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) which are severely infested with all development stages of the greenhouse red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) are sprayed with an active compound preparation of the desired concentration.

[0520] After the specified periods of time, the destruction in % is determined. 100% means that all the spider mites have been killed; 0% means that none of the spider mites have been killed.

[0521] In this test, a destruction rate of 100% was shown, after 14 days, for example, by the compounds of Preparation Examples Ia-17, Ib-132 and Ic-198 at an exemplary active compound concentration of 0.02%.

Example E

[0522] Panonychus Test

[0523] Solvent: 3 parts by weight of dimethylformamide

[0524] Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

[0525] To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated -amount of solvent and the stated amount of emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water containing emulsifier to the desired concentration.

[0526] Young plum trees (Prunus domestica) approximately 30 cm in height which are severely infested with all development stages of the fruit tree spider mite (Panonychus ulmi) are sprayed with an active compound preparation of the desired concentration.

[0527] After the specified periods of time, the destruction in % is determined. 100% means that all the spider mites have been killed; 0% means that none of the spider mites have been killed.

[0528] In this test, a destruction rate of 100% was shown, after 14 days, for example, by the compounds of Preparation Examples Ia-17, Ib-132 and Ic-198 at an exemplary active compound concentration of 0.02%. 

1. Substituted spirocyclic 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I)

in which A and B together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded represent an unsubstituted or substituted 5-6-membered cycle which is interrupted by at least one hetero atom, X represents alkyl, halogen or alkoxy, Y represents hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, alkoxy or halogenoalkyl, Z represents alkyl, halogen or alkoxy, n represents a number 0, 1, 2 or 3, G represents hydrogen (a) or the groups

E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion, L and M in each case represent oxygen or sulphur, R¹ represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl or cycloalkyl which can be interrupted by hetero atoms, each of these radicals optionally being substituted by halogen, or represents in each case optionally substituted phenyl, phenylalkyl, hetaryl, phenoxyalkyl or hetaryloxyalkyl, R² represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl or in each case optionally substituted phenyl or benzyl, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another represent alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylthio, alkenylthio, cycloalkylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent in each case optionally substituted phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio, R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another represent hydrogen, or alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted benzyl, or together with the N atom to which they are bonded represent a cycle which is optionally interrupted by oxygen or sulphur.
 2. Substituted spirocyclic 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives according to claim 1 of the following formulae (Ia) to (I-g):

in which A, B, E, L, M, X, Y, Z, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and n have the meanings given in claim
 1. 3. Substituted spirocyclic 1H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4dione derivatives of the formula (I) according to claim 1 in which A, B and the carbon atom to which they are bonded represent a 5-6-membered spirocycle which contains the group

and/or oxygen and/or sulphur and which can be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen or phenyl, X represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, halogen or C₁-C₆-alkoxy, Y represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆-alkoxy or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl, Z represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, halogen or C₁-C₆-alkoxy, G represents hydrogen (a) or the groups

in which E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion and L and M in each case represent oxygen or sulphur, R¹ represents C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-alkylthio-C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-polyalkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl or cycloalkyl which has 3 to 8 ring atoms and which can be substituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl and interrupted by oxygen and/or sulphur atoms, each of these radicals optionally being substituted by halogen, or represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, or represents phenyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkoxy, or represents hetaryl which is optionally substituted by halogen and/or C₁-C₆-alkyl, or represents phenoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen and/or C₁-C₆-alkyl or represents hetaryloxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, amino and/or C₁-C₆-alkyl, R² represents C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₃-C₁₀-alkenyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₂-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-polyalkoxy-C₂-C₈-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl or represents phenyl or benzyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy or C₁-C₆-halogenoalkyl, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another represent C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy, C₁-C₈-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₈)-alkylamino, C₁-C₈-alkyltio, C₃-C₅-alkenylthio, C₃-C₇-cycloalkylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl, R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another represent hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, C₃-C₈-alkenyl or C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₈-alkyl or C₁-C₈-alkoxy, or represent benzyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₈-alkoxy, or together with the N atom to which they are bonded represent a 3- to 7-membered ring which is optionally interrupted by oxygen or sulphur, R⁹ represents hydrogen, R¹, COR¹ or CO₂R² where R¹ and R² can assume the meanings mentioned in claim 3 as being preferred for R¹ and R², respectively and n represents a number from 0 to
 3. 4. Substituted spirocyclic 1H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I) according to claim 1 in which A, B and the carbon atom to which they are bonded represent a 5-6-membered spirocycle which contains the group

and/or oxygen and/or sulphur and which can be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-thioalkyl, fluorine, chlorine or phenyl, X represents C₁-C₄-alkyl, halogen or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, Y represents hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₄-alkoxy or C₁-C₂-halogenoalkyl, Z represents C₁-C₄-alkyl, halogen or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, G represents hydrogen (a) or the groups

in which E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion and L and M in each case represent oxygen or sulphur, R¹ represents C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylthio-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-polyalkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl or cycloalkyl which has 3 to 7 ring atoms and which can be substituted by C₁-C₄-alkyl and interrupted by 1-2 oxygen and/or sulphur atoms, each of these radicals optionally being substituted by halogen, or represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkoxy, or represents phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkoxy, or represents furanyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl, or represents phenoxy-C₁-C₅-alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl or represents pyridyloxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, pyrimidinyloxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl or thiazolyloxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, amino and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl, R² represents C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, C₃-C₈-alkenyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₂-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₆-polyalkoxy-C₂-C₆-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine or C₁-C₄-alkyl or represents phenyl or benzyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another represent C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₃-C₄-alkenylthio, C₃-C₆-cycloalkylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, C₁-C₃-halogenoalkoxy, C₁-C₃-alkylthio, C₁-C₃-halogenoalkylthio, C₁-C₃-alkyl or C₁-C₃-halogenoalkyl, R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another represent hydrogen, or represent C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy, C₃-C₆-alkenyl or C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen, or represent phenyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-alkoxy, or represent benzyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, C₁-C₅-alkyl, C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₅-alkoxy, or together with the N atom to which they are bonded represent a 4- to 7-membered ring which is optionally interrupted by oxygen or sulphur, R⁹ represents hydrogen, COR^(1′) or CO₂R^(1′) where R^(1′) represents C₁-C₆-alkyl, phenyl or benzyl and n represents a number from 0 to
 2. 5. Substituted spirocyclic 1H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I) according to claim 1 in which A, B and the carbon atom to which they are bonded represent a 5-6-membered spirocycle which contains the group

and/or oxygen and/or sulphur and which can be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclohexyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, methylthio, fluorine, chlorine or phenyl, X represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, 2-propyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methoxy or ethoxy, Y represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, butyl, i-butyl, tert-butyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methoxy, ethoxy or trifluoromethyl, Z represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, butyl, i-butyl, tert-butyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methoxy or ethoxy, G represents hydrogen (a) or the groups

in which E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion and L and M in each case represent oxygen or sulphur, R¹ represents C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₄-polyalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl or cycloalkyl which has 3 to 6 ring atoms and which can be substituted by methyl or ethyl and interrupted by 1 to 2 oxygen and/or sulphur atoms, each of these radicals optionally being substituted by fluorine or chlorine, or represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or nitro, or represents phenyl-C₁-C₃-alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy, or represents furanyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl or ethyl, or represents phenoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methyl or ethyl, or represents pyridyloxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, pyrimidinyloxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl or thiazolyloxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, amino, methyl or ethyl, R² represents C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₂-C₆-alkyl or C₁-C₄-polyalkoxy-C₂-C₆-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, or represents C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methyl or ethyl, or represents phenyl or benzyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, nitro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy or trifluoromethyl, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another represent C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄)alkylamino or C₁-C₄-alkylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, or represent phenyl, phenoxy or phenylthio, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₂-fluoroalkoxy, C₁-C₂-alkylthio, C₁-C₂-fluoroalkylthio or C₁-C₃-alkyl, R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another preferably represent hydrogen, or represent C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy or C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine or bromine, or represent phenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, or represent benzyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-halogenoalkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, or together with the N atom to which they are bonded represent a 5- to 7-membered ring which is optionally interrupted by oxygen or sulphur, R⁹ represents hydrogen, COR^(1′) or CO₂R^(1′) where R^(1′) represents C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl or benzyl and n represents 0 or
 1. 6. Processes for the preparation of the spirocyclic substituted 1H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I) according to claim 1, characterized in that (A) 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-diones or their enols of the formula (Ia)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the meaning given in claim 1 are obtained when N-acylamino acid esters of the formula (II)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning and R⁸ represents alkyl, are subjected to an intramolecular condensation reaction in the presence of a diluent and in the presence of a base; or (B) in that compounds of the formula (Ib)

in which A, B, Y, Z, R¹ and n have the abovementioned meaning, are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning, α) are reacted with acid halides of the formula (III)

in which R¹ has the abovementioned meaning and Hal represents halogen, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent or β) are reacted with carboxylic anhydrides of the formula (IV) R¹—CO—O—CO—R¹   (IV) in which R¹ has the abovementioned meaning, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent; or (C) in that compounds of the formula (Ic-1)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z R² and n have the abovementioned meaning, and M represents oxygen or sulphur are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning, are reacted with chloroformic ester or chloroformic thiol ester of the formula (V) R²—M—CO—Cl   (V) in which R² and M have the abovementioned meaning, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent; or (D) in that compounds of the formula (Ic-2)

in which A, B, R², Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning and M represents oxygen or sulphur, are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning, α) are reacted with chloromonothioformic esters or chlorodiothioformic esters of the formula (VI)

in which M and R² have the abovementioned meaning, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent, or β) are reacted with carbon disulphide and subsequently with alkyl halides of the general formula (VII) R²-Hal   (VII) in which R² has the abovementioned meaning and Hal represents chlorine, bromine or iodine, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of a base; or (E) in that compounds of the formula (Id)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z, R³ and n have the abovementioned meaning, are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning, are reacted with sulphonyl chlorides of the formula (VIII) R³—SO₂—Cl   (VIII) in which R³ has the abovementioned meaning, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent; or (F) in that 3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-diones of the formula (Ie)

in which A, B, L, X, Y, Z, R⁴, R⁵ and n have the abovementioned meaning, are obtained when 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-diones of the formula (Ia) or their enols

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning, are reacted with phosphorus compounds of the formula (IX)

in which L, R⁴ and R⁵ have the abovementioned meaning and Hal represents halogen, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent; or (G) in that compounds of the formula (If)

in which A, B, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning, and E represents a metal ion equivalent or an ammonium ion, are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

in which A, B, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning, are reacted, with metal compounds or amines of the formulae (X) and (XI)

in which Me represents mono- or divalent metal ions, t represents the number 1 or 2 R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² independently of one another represent hydrogen or alkyl and R¹³ represents hydrogen, hydroxyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent, H) in that compounds of the formula (g)

in which A, B, L, X, Y, Z, R⁶, R⁷ and n have the abovementioned meaning, are obtained when compounds of the formula (Ia)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the abovementioned meaning, are reacted α) with compounds of the formula (XII) R⁶—N═C═L   (XII) in which L and R⁶ have the abovementioned meaning, if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of a catalyst or β) with carbamoyl chlorides or thiocarbamoyl chlorides of the formula (XIII)

in which L, R⁶ and R⁷ have the abovementioned meaning if appropriate in the presence of a diluent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid-binding agent.
 7. Compounds of the formula (XVII)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the meaning given in claim
 1. 8. Process for the preparation of compounds of the formula (XVII) according to claim 7, characterized in that aminonitriles of the formula (XVI)

in which A and B have the meaning given in claim 1, are reacted with phenylacetyl halides of the formula (XV)

in which X, Y, Z and n have the meaning given in claim 1 and Hal represents chlorine or bromine.
 9. Compounds of the formula (II)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the meaning given in claim 1 and R⁸ represents alkyl.
 10. Process for the preparation of compounds of the formula (II), characterized in that aminoacid derivatives of the formula (XIV)

in which R^(8′) represents hydrogen (XIVa) or alkyl (XIVb) and A has the meaning given in claim 1 are acylated with phenylacetyl halides of the formula (XV)

in which X, Y, Z and n have the meaning given in claim 1 and Hal represents chlorine or bromine, and, if appropriate, the acylamino acids which have been formed if R^(8′)=hydrogen, of the formula (IIa)

in which A, B, X, Y, Z and n have the meaning given in claim 1, are esterified or in that the compounds of the formula (XVII) according to claim 7 are subjected to alcoholysis in sulphuric acid.
 11. Pesticides and herbicides, characterized in that they comprise at least one substituted spirocyclic 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivative of the formula (I) according to claim
 1. 12. Use of substituted spirocyclic 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I) according to claim 1 for combating pests and undesirable vegetation.
 13. Method of combating pests, characterized in that substituted spirocyclic 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the formula (I) according to claim 1 are allowed to act on pests, undesirable vegetation and/or their environment.
 14. Process for the preparation of pesticides and herbicides, characterized in that substituted spirocyclic 1-H-3-aryl-pyrrolidine-2,4dione derivatives of the formula (I) according to claim 1 are mixed with extenders and/or surface-active agents. 